NFL Draft Mock 5.0: Two-round mock, post-free agency
By Ian Cummings
Picks 49-52
49. Cleveland Browns – Maryland S Darnell Savage
The Browns are suddenly in a position to slip into the driver’s seat of the AFC North. With a stacked offensive cast and a defense with top-end talent at all levels, the Browns could make a case for being the best team in their division. But with the Ravens right behind them, they still need to add talent. After trading Jabrill Peppers to the Giants, Damarious Randall is the only starter at safety in Cleveland. Derrick Kindred has experience in the role opposite him, but he played at a poor level last year. Darnell Savage, with his athleticism and aggressive play style, is an upgrade, and he brings exceptional upside to a team that will trend up as he does.
50. Minnesota Vikings – Oklahoma OG Dru Samia
The Minnesota Vikings double-dip on the offensive line in this mock, and can you really blame them? Kirk Cousins needs a strong structure to succeed, and their offensive line provided anything but that in 2018, giving up substantial pressure both up the middle and around the edges. After addressing their offensive tackle slot in Round 1, the Vikings take a guard in Oklahoma’s Dru Samia. The only guards currently rostered by the Vikings are backup Danny Isidora and veteran depth player Josh Kline. Samia has some development to undergo, but as an athletic lineman with an understanding of leverage, he’ll get a chance to start right away.
51. Tennessee Titans – Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger
The Titans, at first glance, seem set at the tight end position with Delanie Walker and Jonnu Smith. Walker, however, is 34 years old and coming off a season-ending injury, and Smith has never caught over 20 passes in his two-year career, even when Walker was out. The Titans need to keep adding weapons to their offensive cast for Marcus Mariota (or Ryan Tannehill?), and the long-term outlook at tight end is cloudy. Thus, Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger is the pick here, and he fits exactly what the Titans need. He’s a dynamic receiving threat right out of the gate, with good size, speed, and route running versatility. While he’s not quite there yet as a blocker, he has room to develop into a high-level starter, and be the successor to Delanie Walker’s positional dominance.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ohio State WR Parris Campbell
As was the case with Hollywood Brown, Parris Campbell is drafted too high in this mock. He’s certainly dynamic, but his game is underdeveloped, and his speed is more long, linear speed than lateral speed. But it’s speed, nonetheless, and some team will fall in love with it. History shows us that. The Steelers are an easy candidate to do so, as they’re desperate for a rebound after losing star receiver Antonio Brown to the Raiders for minimal compensation. Campbell won’t provide a rebound right away, and he might not ever develop into the multi-faceted threat that some expect him to be. But his speed would be a nice compliment for JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington, and he could contribute on special teams.